Some books on how to read the Bible are academically informative, but their rationality can make God seem distant. Other books are spiritually vibrant but provide few tools that truly help God's people read the Bible better. Readers need a guide that combines the academic with the spiritual-that integrates textual analysis with the illuminating and transformational work of the Holy Spirit.
Drawing from his experience training students to study the Bible, Andrew Abernethy provides a holistic method that helps readers listen carefully to what God was saying to the original audience and what God is saying to us today. Using clear examples, he lays out six steps: • Posture • Flow • Context • Whole Bible • Savor God • Faithful response
Chapters provide guidance on interpreting biblical genres, factoring in historical backgrounds, reading each passage in context, tracing the redemptive storyline of Scripture, and more. Then, building on a strong grasp of Scripture's meaning, readers engage the traditional practice of lectio divina and consider how to respond faithfully to the text. The goal, Abernethy says, is to encounter God and to be shaped by the Word as we savor its richness.
Filled with practical features such as illustrations, maps, timelines, and discussion questions, Savoring Scripture is a valuable guide for students and anyone who wants to study the Bible more effectively. God has given us a Bible that is for the hungry-for those willing both to depend on God for provision and to put in the mental effort to enjoy the feast.
"Savoring Scripture takes seriously the psalmists' confession that the Word of God is rich food that delights and satisfies. Abernethy offers a simple and well-rounded approach to Bible study that opens the path to formation and nourishment. Spiritual reflection without deep study is foolish; study without worship is lifeless. This book intertwines both and makes for a perfect recipe."
Nijay K. Gupta, professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary
"Andrew Abernethy has produced an incredibly accessible and stimulating guide for how to study the Bible. You don't have to be a scholar of Hebrew or Greek, or an expert on ancient Egypt or Rome, as Abernethy shows, all you need is a teachable heart and a desire to learn. If you have that, then Abernethy has a great plan to help you get the most of your study of Holy Scripture, to have your way illuminated by the guiding light of God's Word."
Michael F. Bird, academic dean and lecturer in theology at Ridley College in Melbourne, Au
